Physicochemical and microbiological characterisation of Olive Oil Mill Wastewater (OMW) from the region of Sidi Bel Abbes (Western Algeria)

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the Olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) from the region of Sidi Bel Abbes (Western Algeria). The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the Olive oil mill wastewater of this region has an acid pH. The average value was 4.52. OMW is rich in organic matter. This last parameter was obtained by BOD5 and COD. The BOD5 was 29 g/L and the COD was 90.5 g/L. Acidity, polyphenols and fatty acids content were also determined. Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and UV-Visible analysis confirm the presence of polyphenols in OMW. Moreover, the microbial load of this Olive oil mill wastewater was evaluated by the determination of the total aerobic mesophilic flora FMAT, which take the value of 7.9 x 103 CFU/mL, yeasts and moulds were 0.95 x 103 CFU/mL and lactic bacteria was 6.8 x 103 CFU/mL. These analyses reveal that OMW effluents is not within the permitted values and require treatment before reuse or any direct discharge into the environment.